Edinburgh Capitals have confirmed the signing of former Elite Ice Hockey League forward, Chad Smith. Last season, Chad Smith was part of the Kirkcaldy Kestrels team that won the SNL League Championship. He will hope to replicate that feat this coming campaign here in Edinburgh.
23 year old Smith brings a wealth of experience to Steven Lynch’s team having iced in over 150 EIHL games with Fife Flyers and Glasgow Clan in recent years. His father, David Smith, was a one-time Murrayfield Racer back in the ’90s and this is when Chad’s love for hockey started. Chad progressed through the Kirkcaldy Junior system before stepping up to the SNL for the first time with the Kestrels back in 2015-16. That same year, he represented Team GB at the Under 18 World Junior Championships. For the following four years, Chad continued to wear the Team GB jersey for a year at U18 and two years at the U20 level.
In 2016-17, Chad made his debut in the EIHL when he signed with his hometown club, Fife Flyers. Chad was on the Flyers roster for four seasons and gained valuable experience playing in the top league in Britain. Halfway through the 2019-20 season, Chad made the transition to Elite League rivals, Glasgow Clan, where he spent the remainder of the year.
At the start of 2020-21, the Kirkcaldy-born star signed with Murrayfield Racers. Unfortunately, he was unable to ice with the Racers in the SNL due to their withdrawal from the league. Chad returned to the Kestrels last season where he played 14 league games and finished top scorer for the team after scoring 19 goals and 9 assists.
Chad is also a Scottish Internationalist and has played at all age groups through his junior career. He is a leader on and off the ice which is something Coach Steven Lynch will rely on this coming campaign. The Capitals Coach was ecstatic to get Chad signed up. “This is a big signing for us and a statement of intent for the coming season. Chad has played for GB at U18 & U20, he has appeared in 4 World Junior Championships and also played over 150 Elite league and cup games. He will provide good leadership on the ice and in our dressing room and will help give us a great speed and attacking threat this year. He’s someone I’ve known since he was a young boy and played parts in his development on and off for a number of years. With that, I know exactly what type of player we’re getting and what he will do to make us a title-challenging team. I’m delighted that he’s agreed to join us and I know he’s looking forward to playing for the Edinburgh Capitals, both this season and in future years.”
Signing with the Capitals is an exciting prospect for Chad. “I’m really excited to get started with the Caps this coming season, when I heard the Capitals were coming back and had chats with Lynchy about the plans for the club it was a no-brainer to join. It’s going to be a good team in a great city, we will be pushing for silverware this season, 100%.”
Further signing news will be announced shortly.
LET’S GO CAPITALS
Photo: Derek Young
